Pat Stevens/
Nigeria’s renewed battle with Lassa fever has taken a tragic turn with the death of Dr Salome Oboyi, a senior resident doctor at Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, who died after contracting the virus while treating an infected patient.
Her death has cast a human face on the latest warnings by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) about a worrying rise in cases across the country.
In a public health update released on January 28, the NCDC reported increasing Lassa fever activity in the first three weeks of 2026.
In Week 1 alone, 104 suspected cases were recorded, with 21 confirmed infections and nine deaths. By Week 2, suspected cases rose to 144, while confirmed cases increased to 33. The trend continued in Week 3, with 157 new suspected cases, 39 confirmed infections and six additional deaths.
The figures, according to the NCDC, underline the urgency of sustained vigilance, early detection and strict preventive measures, especially as the country enters a period traditionally associated with higher transmission.
Dr Oboyi’s death has resonated deeply within the medical community.
Announcing her passing, the Bingham University College of Medicine Alumni Association said she died after a battle with Lassa fever, which she contracted in the line of duty.
Described as hardworking and deeply committed to patient care, Dr Oboyi was treating a patient with Lassa fever when she became infected.
Her loss has also reignited public conversation about the everyday risks faced by health workers and the broader environmental factors driving the disease.
Commentator, Mustapha Iskil Gbolahan, noted that Lassa fever continues to claim lives, stressing that the multimammate rat, the primary carrier of the virus, thrives in environments where waste management and rodent control are weak.
He warned that unchecked rodent populations could overwhelm already strained health facilities if cases surge sharply.
An awareness image shared by the NCDC reinforces this message, highlighting the role of rodents in transmission and outlining simple but critical steps Nigerians can take to protect themselves.
These include keeping homes and surroundings clean and free of rodents, storing food in tightly covered containers, disposing of waste properly, reducing household clutter and seeking medical care early when symptoms such as fever, weakness or unexplained bleeding occur.
Public health experts say Dr Oboyi’s death is a painful reminder that Lassa fever is not an abstract statistic but a deadly disease that affects families, communities and frontline workers.
They urge Nigerians to take preventive guidance seriously, not only to protect themselves but also to reduce the risk to healthcare workers who continue to respond to outbreaks at great personal cost.
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May her gentle soul rest in peace,I think things should be out in place to eradicate this lasser fever. This off and on shouldn’t be happening .